Last year at the airport I nearly had to gate-check my bag because the overhead bins were full. That’s when I learned the value of the personal item bag under the seat. Airlines allow you a small bag in addition to your carry-on, so I started traveling with one as my lifesaver. It must meet airline size rules (roughly 18×14×8 inches) and hold essentials like laptop, passport, and snacks.
After dozens of flights testing many options, these are the personal item bags I trust most, with what I love about each and what to watch out for. I also explain what to look for so you can find the best personal item bag for travel and even the best personal item bag for international travel.
Best Underseat Personal Item Bags for Travel:
Ecohub 17″ Small Travel Backpack
The ECOHUB 17″ backpack is built exactly to airline personal-item specs (16.7″×10″×8″, per product info). In practice, it just fits the ~18×14×8″ limits imposed by most carriers. It offers a structured interior: a padded sleeve for up to a 15.6″ laptop, plus many smaller pockets (total 16 pockets) to organize chargers, notebooks, and personal items. A handy exterior USB charging port lets you power devices on the go (just add your own power bank inside). The fabric is water-resistant, and a luggage-pass-through strap slides over a trolley handle.
What i Like: Exactly sized for strict personal-item rules; numerous compartments (tech sleeve, zip pockets, pen organizers). Built-in USB port and AirTag slot add convenience.
What to Consider: The USB port means carrying an extra charger/power bank.
Osprey Ultralight (18L)
This Osprey daypack is essentially an emergency/backup bag. It collapses to fit in your suitcase but unfolds into an 18-liter backpack weighing only ~0.33 lb (150g). In other words, you hardly notice it in your luggage. It has one large main compartment plus a small internal sleeve and two stretch side pockets for water bottles. The shoulder straps are lightly padded mesh with an adjustable sternum strap for security.
What i Like: Incredibly lightweight and packable. Great for throwing in souvenirs or short hikes once at your destination. Made from 100% recycled nylon (bluesign approved). The padded straps and mesh back panel are comfortable for its class.
What to Consider: This is a minimalist bag. There’s no laptop compartment or padding, and no real structure.
Cotopaxi Allpa 28L
Cotopaxi’s Allpa 28L is a clamshell-style travel backpack. Open it like a suitcase to reveal two large compartments with internal organization. The rear section has a padded laptop sleeve (fits up to 15″–16″), plus zippered mesh pockets for chargers and documents. The front section is a roomy compartment with straps for clothing or toiletries. An attached 3L zippered organizer pouch (for cables, etc.) can be tethered inside. All exterior materials are beefy, 840D TPU-coated nylon on most of the body with ballistic nylon on high-wear areas. The shoulder straps are well-padded and contoured, and there’s even a hip belt and a sleeve to slide the bag onto rolling luggage.
What i Like: Extremely well-organized; plenty of zip pockets, mesh cover panels, and even a removable packing cube. The padded laptop compartment and multiple divisions make accessing gear easy. Built like a tank, high-denier nylon with TPU coating. Colorful and unique design. You can carry up to about 2.5 lb of gear (plus fabrics) comfortably.
What to Consider: Expensive because it is from a brand.
Travelpro Maxlite 5 (15″)
This Travelpro Maxlite 5 is an airline crew favorite and it shows. It’s a compact 15″ rollaboard (roughly 17.5″×14.5″×8.5″) with a full suitcase-style opening. The main compartment has a padded laptop sleeve, clothes space, and compression straps. It even includes a hanging toiletry kit. The wheels and sturdy telescoping handle make it easy to pull through airports. Its polyester fabric has a water-resistant coating, and heavy-duty zippers and padded bumpers protect it from rough handling.
What i Like: Ultralight design by Travelpro (still only about 5.5 lbs total with wheels). Softside flexibility lets it squish under tight seats. The fabric is durable and coated to resist water/stains. Padded laptop compartment and plenty of pockets for documents and gadgets. Flight crews praise its capacity and build.
What to Consider: Heavier if fully packed.
TUMI Voyageur Leger (16″)
The Voyageur Léger (pronounced “lay-ZHAY”) is a premium mini suitcase. It’s a rigid 16″ tall spinner with four dual wheels, made of TUMI’s lightweight ballistic nylon. The interior opens flat and is divided by a zippered wall with compression straps. You’ll find multiple pockets for organization (including a padded laptop sleeve, zip pouches, and a clasp for your phone/keys). It also features TUMI’s built-in TSA combination lock and a TUMI Tracer tag (in case your bag is lost). Three-stage telescoping handle and leather-wrapped top/side handles make it easy to lift and pull. In essence, it’s a smaller version of a full carry-on suitcase, with extremely high build quality.
What i Like: Superb organization, numerous zip pockets and straps keep items tidy. Easy 360° rolling on all surfaces, and the 4-wheel spinner design means effortless maneuvering. Includes premium touches like TSA lock and Tracer tag. Sleek, businesslike look. It is the best personal item bag for international travel
What to Consider: Highly Expensive as it is a branded product.
Amazon Basics (14″ Rolling Bag)
This Amazon Basics roller (about 14″×13.4″×9.5″, ~31L) is a budget-friendly underseat suitcase. It’s a rigid, boxy bag on smooth inline-skate wheels with a telescoping handle. Inside you’ll find a main compartment for clothes and shoes, an organized lid panel (with pockets), and even a small detachable toiletry pouch. There are two side pockets and a front zip pocket ideal for travel docs, phone, wallet, and chargers. Its 31-liter volume fit a weekend’s worth of clothes and a 13–15″ laptop in testing.
What i Like: Very affordable (typically under $50). Roller wheels glide easily through terminals. Good basic organization with side pockets and a small admin/front pocket for easy-access items. Feels sturdy for the price.
What to Consider: At ~4.7 lbs empty, it’s heavier than a lightweight backpack. It has no padded laptop sleeve, you’ll have to use a sleeve or pack the laptop carefully (and the top cinch can’t be fully zipped if the bag isn’t stuffed). The telescoping handle can feel a bit wobbly. Also, if under-packed the top panel may cave in, and on very strict
Fjällräven Kånken Laptop 13″
The Kånken Laptop is a petite version of Fjällräven’s classic Kånken backpack. It holds 13 liters (dimensions ~13.8″×9.8″×6.3″) and has a dedicated padded laptop compartment for a 13″ computer. The exterior is Vinylon F, a tough, quick-drying fabric that’s naturally water-resistant. Inside is a small zippered pocket for keys or cables, plus a zip front pocket and two side pockets. Even the simple shoulder straps have durable foam padding. (A bonus: it includes a removable foam seat pad tucked into the main compartment, per Fjällräven’s product info.)
What i Like: Very lightweight (345g) and rugged. Water-resistant Vinylon-F fabric. Clean, iconic look. The padded 13″ laptop sleeve and multiple pockets give basic organization. The separate laptop compartment keeps tech handy. It even comes with a little padded seat cushion inside.
What to Consider: Only 13 liters capacity, quite small. It’s purely for minimal essentials (laptop, wallet, phone, a snack or two).
The North Face Borealis Sling
A departure from rollers and backpacks, the Borealis Sling is a 6L crossbody pack for pure essentials. Think of it as one half of a daypack on a strap. It has one main zip compartment and two quick-access zip pockets on the front. The stretchy elastic bungee on the front can hold a light jacket. The padded single strap is wide and comfortable, North Face even built in a small fleece-lined phone pocket on the strap. A side water-bottle pocket is provided, but it only fits narrow bottles (or serves as a convenient phone/charger pocket). The back panel is padded and mesh, making it comfortable against your body. Total weight is only about 300 grams (10.6 oz).
What i Like: Extremely light and packable at 6L and 10.6 oz it barely adds weight. Keeps essentials (wallet, passport, small tablet, phone) right in front of you. Padded strap and back panel make it comfortable. The front quick-grab pockets (one on top, one lower) are fleece-lined for fragile items. Built-in bungee and loops provide some attachment points for gear.
What to Consider: Tiny capacity, this is for “bare essentials” only. You won’t fit a laptop (only a small tablet at best). No internal organization beyond two small zips. If you tend to pack more than a few things, this bag will be too limited.
KROSER 16″ Carry-On
The KROSER 16″ is a hybrid roller/backpack built for max underseat capacity. Its dimensions (about 12″×7″×16″) allow it to fit under most seats. Inside is a padded 15.6″ laptop pocket and a front organizer panel with slots for pens, phones, and small gear. There are also side pockets for a bottle or charger. The bottom section has room for clothes or shoes, with compression straps to secure them. On the outside it has a built-in combination cable lock. It rolls on inline wheels, and the handle is stiffer than many budget rollers.
What i Like: Very space-efficient, KROSER built a lot of pockets into that compact shell. The padded laptop sleeve is a plus for tech travelers. Inline wheels are smooth and it feels fairly sturdy.
What to Consider: Heavy for its size (~6.33 lb empty). Its boxy shape can make it feel bulky.
Solo New York Laptop Backpack
The Solo Draft is a no-frills slim laptop backpack (about 12″×17.5″×5.5″). It has one main compartment (with padded sleeve for up to a 15.6″ laptop) and a small front zip pocket. Two side mesh pockets hold water bottles. At around 1.5 lb empty, it’s quite lightweight. The straps are modestly padded.
What i Like: Simple, lightweight design. Feels like a sturdy bookbag. Padded sleeve for a laptop and basic organization covers the basics. Very affordable.
What to Consider: Barely any organization beyond one big compartment and front pocket. No extra padding or weather resistance. It’s essentially a budget peronal item backpack, so build quality is basic. Only go with this if you truly just need a light laptop carrier and nothing more.
Final Thoughts
The best personal item bag for air travel depends on your needs. For light packing, a small backpack or even a sling can be enough. For longer or international trips, look for more capacity and organization (like the Cotopaxi or Travelpro). The key is a bag that fits airline requirements and keeps your essentials handy. Measure carefully before you fly, and pack smartly. With the right under-seat bag, you can avoid fees and keep everything within arm’s reach. Safe travels!